Thirukkural 809 in English
Tamil original, transliteration, English translation, meaning, commentary, pronunciation, and chapter context.
Tamil original
கெடாஅ வழிவந்த கேண்மையார் கேண்மை
விடாஅர் விழையும் உலகு.
Transliteration
Ketaaa Vazhivandha Kenmaiyaar Kenmai
Vitaaar Vizhaiyum Ulaku
Modern English
“People respect those who do not abandon a longtime friend when circumstances change.”
Modern Interpretation
People respect those who do not abandon a longtime friend when circumstances change. If a friend moves away or struggles financially, keep in touch instead of remembering them only when life is easy.
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Tamil pronunciation
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Modern Plain English
People respect those who do not abandon a longtime friend when circumstances change.
Poetic Couplet (Bharati)
To love such friends the world desires Whose friendship has unbroken ties
G.U. Pope Translation
Friendship of old and faithful friends,Who ne'er forsake, the world commends
Classical Meaning (Drew & Lazarus)
They will be loved by the world, who have not forsaken the friendship of those with whom they have kept up an unbroken long-standing intimacy
Tamil commentary
உரிமையை விடாது நெடுங்காலமாக வரும் நட்பினை உடையவர் கேடு செய்தாலும் அந்த நட்பை விட்டு விடாதவரை, அவரது நட்புள்ளம் குறித்து உலகம் விரும்பும்.
Chapter 81
More from Familiarity
பழைமை
That friendship is good amity Which restrains not one's liberty
Kural 802Friendship's heart is freedom close; Wise men's duty is such to please
Kural 803Of long friendship what is the use Righteous freedom if men refuse?
Kural 804Things done unasked by loving friends Please the wise as familiar trends!
Kural 805Offence of friends feel it easy As folloy or close intimacy
Kural 806They forsake not but continue In friendship's bounds though loss ensue
Kural 807Comrades established in firm love Though ruin comes waive not their vow
Kural 808Fast friends who list not tales of ill Though wronged they say \"that day is well\"
Kural 809To love such friends the world desires Whose friendship has unbroken ties
Kural 810Even foes love for better ends Those who leave not long-standing friends